[December 13, 2017](Reuters) - Social media users
have told American skier Lindsey Vonn they hoped she broke her neck
after the Olympic champion made comments they deemed to be critical
of U.S. President Donald Trump, she said on Tuesday.

The 33-year-old said in an interview last week that she wanted to
"represent the people of United States not the President", at
February's Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, which had sparked a
backlash on social media.

"It is hurtful to read comments where people are hoping I break my
neck or that God is punishing me for being 'anti-Trump,'" Vonn said
in a post on Instagram on Tuesday.

Vonn, the most successful female World Cup alpine skier of all time,
added she was trying to make the point during her CNN interview that
Olympic athletes represent their nation and not any specific
political party or individual.

Trump, who is often quick to respond to criticism from high-profile
people, has not yet weighed in on Vonn's comments.

Vonn, who won gold in the downhill at the 2010 Vancouver Games but
missed the 2014 Games in Sochi due to injury, said people overseas
were perplexed at the way the U.S. had changed.

"You cannot pick up a newspaper or turn on the TV in Europe without
noticing how people are questioning our direction," she said.

"It seems to me that we must lead with understanding and strive for
unity in our relationships throughout the world."

Lindsey Vonn of the United States during interview in the finish
area after her run during training for the women's downhill in the
2017 FIS Alpine Skiing World Cup at Lake Louise Ski Resort in Lake
Louise, Alberta, November 30, 2017. Sergei Belski-USA TODAY
Sports/File Photo

The reaction to her comments had also illustrated how divided the
country was, she said.

"We need to find a way to put aside our differences and find common
ground in communicating," Vonn added.

"Is it wrong to hope for a better world? All of this is much bigger
than skiing and the Olympics.

"I am going to take the next two months to focus on what I can do
and right now that is competing for my country. In doing that, I
will be hoping that we Americans can still be that 'shining city on
a hill.'"